Schoolchildren are being given the chance to put their stamp on the Kids Carnival Day at Warwick Racecourse. 

Pupils at primary schools in Warwick are being challenged to come up with a design for the front cover of the racecard that will be used by punters to study the runners and riders on the day.

Kids Carnival Day marks the opening of the Qatar Airways May Racing Carnival and will take place on the first Bank Holiday of the month, Monday, May 7.

Youngsters from schools including Westgate Primary School and Aylesford Primary School have been invited to take part in the competition and submit their entries for judging by Monday, April 30.

The winner will be presented with their racecard at Kids Carnival Day and get to enjoy the day at the races.

The Bank Holiday meeting is expected to attract a bumper crowd and will feature seven races.

Children can get in for free and the centre of the course will be opened and transformed into a play area, with all rides and activities free on the day too.

Special guest Peter Rabbit will be making appearances at intervals during the afternoon which will feature a host of activities including face painting, clip-clop pony rides, Chair-O-Planes, Astroglide Slide, cups and saucers and a traditional mini carousel.

Andre Klein, General Manager of Warwick Racecourse, said: “We’re all really looking forward to getting this year’s Qatar Airways May Racing Carnival underway with the Kids Carnival Day.

“We wanted to get local schools involved in the day and we’re looking forward to seeing all the children’s designs for the racecard competition.

“The Kids Carnival Day is a brilliant Bank Holiday outing for the family and a perfect opportunity to sample the raceday experience at Warwick.

“We hope that racegoers who come along on the day will join us for the Carnival’s next three fixtures which all have a different theme.  It’s going to be a great month of racing here at Warwick.”

The Qatar Airways May Racing Carnival continues with Ladies Night on May 12, before the Proudly Warwick meeting on May 23 and closing with the Celebration Raceday on May 30.

Gates open for the Kids Carnival Day at 11.30am, with the first race at 1.30pm and the last at 5pm. Advanced tickets for the main enclosure are £12.50 and children under-18 go free.

For more ticket information, call 01926 405560 or go to www.warwickracecourse.co.uk

PICTURE CAPTION: Andre Klein and Warwick Racecourse mascot Wilbur are pictured at Westgate Primary School with teacher Heather Sewell and pupils, from left to right, Seth, Harleen, Hugo and Belle.